Although the assumption is that Alaska is a land of snow and sub-zero temperatures, the Alaskan climate is actually extremely varied, caused by the state's six different topographic regions. The far north is extremely dry and very cold, with Arctic conditions and temperatures average about -20°F (-29°C), and the ground at Point Barrow remains permanently frozen to a depth of 1,330 ft (405 m). Summer temperatures in the lowlands are surprisingly high, averaging in the 60s Fahrenheit (about 16°C), and they have been known to reach 90°F (32°C) and up. The southeast tends to be
fairly moderate, with damp, rainy and sometimes mild conditions, with temperatures in July averaging 56°F (13°C) and temperatures in January averaging 30°F (-1°C) and the south and central areas tend to be similar, with slightly colder winter temperatures. Western Alaska tends to be rainy, while the Aleutian Islands in winter are damp and rainy, with fog. Heavy snows are common in the north and central regions of the state.
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